211-0646/24-2E Associate Professor of Research Integrity

Associate Professor of Research Integrity
Department of Food and Resource Economics
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

Research Integrity comprises various ethical norms or standards for how to undertake research. Some of these are enshrined in national and international legislation and related institutions concerning scientific misconduct. Others, concerning good scientific practice and the avoidance of so-called questionable practices of research, are defined by scientific societies, journals, funders and other stakeholders. These norms and standards develop all the time. As an academic subject Research Integrity concerns the study of these norms or standards and how best to ensure their uptake by various methods, including sociological and other social science methods, and conceptual/theoretical analysis and other methods of applied philosophy. Organizing teaching of Research Integrity and the related subject, Academic Integrity, at all levels from BA level to post-graduate courses is an important role for the person holding the position as is other forms of outreach.

The candidate must have documented research achievements concerning the study of research integrity and possibly also academic integrity. This can include both theoretical and empirical research into integrity issues relating to, for instance, authorship practices, conflicts of interests, plagiarism and data management, as well as empirical research on the efficacy of teaching and training initiatives.   

IFRO is responsible for running several courses on Research Integrity or Research Conduct of Research (RCR) for PhD students, postdocs and senior staff at both the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Teaching is done by a team comprising both IFRO staff and external collaborators. The associate professor will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the department’s RCR teaching. This includes coordination with the relevant PhD schools and other administrative units, as well as coordination within the teacher group. The associate professor will also be responsible for ensuring that the RCR-teaching is continuously updated according to developments in research, policy, and practice and that all teachers are up to date. Finally, the associate professor is expected to teach academic integrity, philosophy of science and to a lesser extent also ethics to bachelor students from a broad range of disciplines within the natural sciences.

Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required.

Duties include the applicant’s own research, development of the field, assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. The successful applicant must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and fulfill other tasks requested by the Department.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, original scientific production at an international level, including contributions to developments in their field, as well as their documented teaching qualifications. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf .

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department Bo Jellesmark Thorsen (bjt@ifro.ku.dk, +45 20138345).

The position is open from 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 4 December 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on 2 April 2025.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0646/24-2E.